FDA May Approve New Covid-19 Vaccines Soon

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to approve updated Covid-19 vaccines targeting the KP.2 strain as early as next week, amid the largest summer wave of infections in two years. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the FDA will authorize mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech, ahead of last year's approval, which occurred on September 11. This proactive measure comes as health officials recommend vaccinations to bolster immunity during a period of heightened virus circulation. In light of the ongoing surge, health experts, including epidemiologist Michael Osterholm, have advised individuals to receive the current vaccine while awaiting the updated version. Osterholm recently received last season's vaccine and plans to wait four months for the new shot, aligning with health recommendations. The CDC has also urged everyone over six months old to get both the updated Covid-19 vaccine and a flu shot this year. Moderna has indicated that its updated vaccine could be available in stores shortly after FDA approval, with executives stating that distribution is anticipated to begin this month. The FDA has refrained from commenting on specific timelines but has expressed its commitment to timely action regarding vaccine authorizations for the upcoming fall season. Current CDC data shows that SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater are at "very high" levels nationally, marking the highest summer peak since July 2022. While hospitalization and death rates are rising, they remain significantly lower than in previous years, with the prevalent strain now being KP.3.1.1, which accounts for 37% of recent cases.